The No.1 Way to Save Money in your Kids Crafting Club
Posted on Oct 07, 2021If you've been following us for a while you’ll know we are slightly (read: seriously) obsessed with using RECYCLED MATERIALS to craft with.
There’s a good reason for that!
Today we're sharing our top 4 reasons why using recycled materials is a great way to save money in your in-person arts and crafts club.
As a bonus today, we've included a FREE Craft Supply & Recycled Items Checklist to help you get started on creating the best arts and crafts projects with your students. Click on the image below to get your instant download 👇🏻
Let's dive in!
#1: It's good for the planet and cuts down on your supply costs significantly!
We’ve all heard that catchy little jingle, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” but how many of us have actually put it into practice? Pollution has become a major issue worldwide, severely impacting our environment.
Many think that their contribution to helping the environment will be too small to actually make a difference, but they’re WRONG! Just recycling one plastic packet could save a turtle’s life.
Not only is recycling good for the environment - it’s good for your wallet too! Instead of purchasing new cardboard sheets and boxes, use old cereal boxes and shoeboxes from home.
Buying new items may not seem expensive at first, but it really adds up! Rather keep your piggy bank’s tummy full and use what you’ve got at home.
#2: It teaches kids valuable life lessons
Providing kids with fancy new supplies every time they craft conditions them to think that they won’t be able to craft without them, when in reality they really don’t need fancy supplies to be creative - they can create something beautiful out of anything!
This introduces them to the mindset and skills one needs to solve real-world problems → real-world problems are never perfectly packaged for you!
Using old pieces of “trash” and turning them into something beautiful teaches kids to see the potential in anything and encourages them to be extra creative.
Our library of 100+ craft lesson plans is proof enough that items like egg cartons, paper cups, and shoeboxes can be turned into all sorts of things - the possibilities are endless!
It also just shows that one man’s trash really can be another man’s treasure, if you know how to decorate it right ;)
#3: Teaches the 'Recycling Crafter's Mindset'
Something we encourage in all of our craft lesson plans is the ‘Recycling Crafter’s Mindset’ - what this boils down to is a sense of flexibility in finding materials that will do the job.
If you don’t have a specific material on hand for your craft, applying a 'what else can I use?' mindset encourages you to think creatively and ‘outside the box’.
Problem solving is a skill that is vital in many areas of life and is something that should be instilled in all children at a young age.
#4: It encourages community, friends and family involvement
The best part of using recycled materials for your crafting club is the way it can bring your community together to achieve a common goal.
Get your family, friends, students and neighbours to help you collect! They'll be excited to help and it gives them the opportunity to contribute and feel involved.
It's so important to get support when you are building a business and sometimes it's difficult for our friends and family to show support, not because they don’t want to but because they don’t always know how to.
Asking them to help you recycle is a great way for them to get involved and support your business journey!
Remember to grab the FREE Craft Supply & Recycled Items Checklist to help you get started on creating the best arts and crafts projects with your students.
P.S. What is your favourite recycled item to craft with? Let us know in the comments!